My Need For Ink

I've been wanting for awhile to write why I choose to get tattoos. Yes my name is Genna and I am an addict. I'm addicted to tattoos. I'm not the only one. I've met several people that once you get one you can't stop.

I've been getting tattoos for about 9 years. As of today I have 19 tattoos, and many of my tattoos are random themes. Within my first year of getting tattoos I had 4. I generally go 6-12 months between getting tattoos. 12 months is usually too long. I start getting the itch around 5 months after the last one.

My last tattoo was in September of last year. I made it 5 months this time. And this time I got 2. Number 18 and 19.


A majority of my tattoos are on my arms at this point. The count is 1 on each ankle. 4 on my left arm. 7 on my right arm. 6 on my back. My left arm will be next. I do get the feeling that I'm unbalanced but I'll explain why the 2 were added to the right arm today.

I knew I wanted to have half sleeves, shoulders to elbows. These 2 new ones are a great jumping point to start the right sleeve. I'm already working on the ideas to do my next tattoo that will pretty much cover a chunk of whats left of the outside of my right arm. I was only going to do the imperial cog but someone suggested they could see me with the mando skull. I decided why not and get both. So I did.

With the exception of 2 of my tattoos which one was done out of town and another done at a convention (my R2-KT tribute) all of mine of come from the same company. Atomic Tattoo. First time I walked into one of their shops I had that feeling that this was the place. So I keep going to them. I've had several different artists work on me. And I have no complaints.

I find getting tattooed very relaxing and calming and stress relieving. At one point I use to go to tanning beds. I found that 15 minutes was great. I had 15 minutes of forced time to myself where I could relax. I stopped going for no particular reason. Once I started getting tattooed I realized who good it was to relax. Oh and I'm not a fan of needles. Except when getting tattooed. I can watch the artist tattoo me. Or I can take a nap. No I do not pass out from pain, I really do fall asleep for about 15-20 minutes. I generally chat with the artist for a bit then just zone out. Don't get me wrong it does hurt but I just let go of it and let go of everything on my mind. It's the same way no matter if I go with a friend or by myself. Even with a friend there it's still relaxing.

I wasn't planning on going today. Once I have it in my mind to get tattooed I carry the art with me that I want. I've been carry 2 sheets of paper around for about a week. I was out doing errands and said screw it I want to get a tattoo today. So I did. My guess around September I'll be getting another 1 or 2.

Megacon 2012 - Friday

It is early in the year in Florida again, that means its time for Megacon. Which is now a yearly thing. This is my 3rd year going to this convention. Friday is a preview to how to expect the weekend plus its a good shopping day.

I decided since this is primarily an anime convention to dress as Tifa Lockheart from Final Fantasy Advent Children. Plus wore my Wally the Wampa Backpack, which people loved him. I did over hear an interesting conversation over my costume. They couldn't figure out which Tifa I was. So I decided to be nice after about 5 minutes to tell them which version I was. I did over hear tons of people talking about other costumes trying to figure out who a person was dressed as. Kinda got to be an interesting game of whose wearing what.

Before the con opened up I decided to wander around to take pictures and chat up other people. Finally the doors opened up and I went straight to get my Froggy Photo tickets. If you haven't heard of them, they are this service at many cons where you can get professional photos with celebrities. I choose Daniel Logan, who is Boba Fett in AOTC and Tom Felton, Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter. Jeremy got his photo taken with Lord Vader himself David Prowse. The photos turned out amazing. And the actors were sweet.

We wander and bought a few items. I got Captain Mal's pistol and a Fremen crysknife. Took a "few" photos. I do enjoy people watching at cons and talking to other people. I got into a conversation with a stilt walker and several of the people standing in line to get photos when I was in line. Natural swung by and talked to the Droid Builders and their droids. Also swung by the Rebel Legion booth. Finally managed to make it through the crowds to go to the 501st booth to see everyone and take photos.

While I was taking photos in the booth and talking to a friend, someone decided to set me up. Everyone knows I'm not a fan of furries. Naturally while standing there talking to a friend next thing I know a furry has its arms wrapped around me. Yep a furry was hugging me. When it let me go I hid behind my friend. Then I looked and saw everyone laughing and knew I had been set up yet no one took video or took pics. I'll admit it, they got me good. So good its time for a new costume. Which of course I've already changed it because I think I just used it as an excuse to finally have a steampunk costume. More on that later.

We continued walking around, taking photos and talking to everyone. Going to this convention is like a reunion. I got to see people I hadn't seen since last year. It's great to see everyone and see people all dressed up and what new things they come up with. We ended the day at the con. But of course for the end of the day we kept with a tradition. We went to Friendly's for dinner. Stay tuned for my take on Saturday at the convention and my side trip to Downtown Disney and the resorts.

Wally the Wampa Backpack

Along the lines of the Star Wars backpacks like the Chewy, Yoda and R2 ones, I decided I wanted a Wampa backpack. Since I'm the wampa handler and that is probably the one thing I'm most known for these days and since no one has one available to buy I decided to make one myself...kinda.

At Star Wars Celebration 5 they released a wampa plush that the arm could come off. I'm not too crafty so I decided to take that exclusive plush and turn it into a backpack. I hunted him down online and soon he was here.

I took a kids backpack to get the straps plus the fabric I would need to make a pocket. I cut the straps at the seams. Then cut out the inside lining to make the pocket. I sewed the straps into the shoulder area of the plush. Then again above the legs. Next I realize I couldn't cut into the fur like I thought to turn the insides into a bag. So I took the lining folded it over, sewed it over, attached snaps and then sewed it between the straps. Its not a large pouch but I can put in a few things, like my cell phone or my wallet or my camera. Just the basics.

I wore the wampack both days at Megacon and people were stopping me and taking pictures and asked where I bought it. He was a hit. I did have one person surprised that I did this to an exclusive but then again they loved it. I had several people wanting me to make one for them as well.

I will eventually cut into the fur and into the insides to make it really into a backpack to hold more and add a zipper to it. But for right now Wally is just a cute little backpack for me to carry around at conventions and events.

On a side note on where the name Wally came from. At SWCV, we went to the Ice Bar one night. There was one lady there that had this plush and she called him Wally. It kinda stuck. So I dub thee Wally the Wampack.

My Favorite Makeup To Wear

Yes even I use makeup. Well for costuming. But my favorite is not a lipstick or eyeshadow or bronzer. It is a scarification makeup called Rigid Collodion. I use this liquid for costumes and sometimes just to freak people out. Especially if I wear my white zombie contacts with it.

At first I used it when I was at Motor City Comic Con when I dressed as Hoth Luke Skywalker while handling for Jeremy as the wampa. Used it recently at Megacon making it look like I was clawed by something which later everyone said by the wampa. With one of the scars going over my eye I wore one white zombie contact. After seeing photos and hearing comments, apparently I should be able to just get away with wearing civies and that makeup. From what else I heard at Megacon, if people didn't know me then they had a difficult time figuring out if it was real or not.

I learned of the Rigid from a friend that costumes as Anakin Skywalker from ROTS. For that he needs to have a scar over his eye. I asked him about it, knowing I was going to be Luke Skywalker. Pretty much have been using it since then.

A small how to guide on how to do this. First: pick a good spot wear you want to use the Rigid. For this I used my arm. Most of the time its the right side of my face.

Second: take a dark red lip liner to draw on the lines. I just used a single line but feel free to go crazy.

Third: start putting on the Rigid. I usually put on about 3 coats. Let is start tightening up then add a few more coats to it.

Fourth: if you want to make it look puffy, add some blush to it. And this is how you look like you've been attacked.